U.S. patent application number 11/787921 was filed with the patent office on 2008-10-23 for recreational vehicle wireless keyless power door lock.
This patent application is currently assigned to Cade Harris. Invention is credited to Jeff Brown, Cade Harris.
Application Number | 20080258867 11/787921 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39871628 |
Filed Date | 2008-10-23 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080258867 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Harris; Cade ; et
al. |
October 23, 2008 |
Recreational vehicle wireless keyless power door lock
Abstract
A power door lock device for a walkthrough door of a
Recreational Vehicle (RV) includes a lock disposed in a lock
housing. The power door lock also includes an actuator operably
coupled to the lock and operable to engage the lock. A wireless
receiver is coupled to the actuator and is configured to receive a
wireless signal to operate the actuator. A remote wireless
transmitter is configured to transmit a signal to the wireless
receiver in order to actuate the lock.
Inventors: |
Harris; Cade; (Hyrum,
UT) ; Brown; Jeff; (NorthLogan, UT) |
Correspondence
Address: |
THORPE NORTH & WESTERN, LLP.
P.O. Box 1219
SANDY
UT
84091-1219
US
|
Assignee: |
Cade Harris
|
Family ID: |
39871628 |
Appl. No.: |
11/787921 |
Filed: |
April 17, 2007 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
340/5.64 ;
280/5.2; 70/256 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E05B 2047/0017 20130101;
E05B 2047/0026 20130101; E05B 2047/0094 20130101; E05B 83/44
20130101; Y10T 70/5973 20150401; E05B 47/026 20130101; E05B 47/0012
20130101; E05B 2047/0024 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
340/5.64 ;
280/5.2; 70/256 |
International
Class: |
G05B 19/00 20060101
G05B019/00 |
Claims
1. A power door lock device for a walkthrough door of a
Recreational Vehicle (RV), comprising: a lock; an actuator operably
coupled to the lock and operable to engage the lock; a wireless
receiver coupled to the actuator and configured to receive a
wireless signal to operate the actuator; a remote wireless
transmitter, configured to transmit a signal to the wireless
receiver in order to actuate the lock.
2. The device of claim 1, wherein the lock includes a dead bolt and
the actuator moves the dead bolt between a locked and an unlocked
position.
3. The device of claim 1, wherein the actuator further includes: a
lock rod; and a clutch, operably coupled to the lock rod to
selectively engage the lock rod.
4. The device of claim 3, wherein the clutch further includes: a
screw gear, operably coupled to the lock rod and operable to rotate
about the lock rod; a spring loaded pin associated with the screw
gear and movable between an extended position and a retracted
position; and a pin catch, coupled to the lock rod and positioned
adjacent a face of the gear so that as the gear rotates, the pin
contacts the pin catch and rotates the lock rod when the pin is in
the extended position.
5. The device of claim 4, wherein the actuator includes a motor
operably coupled to a worm gear positioned to engage the screw gear
and operable by the wireless receiver upon receipt of a signal from
the wireless transmitter to engage the screw gear and rotate the
lock rod.
6. The device of claim 1, wherein the actuator is selected from the
group consisting of an electric solenoid, an electric motor, and
combinations thereof.
7. The device of claim 1, wherein the wireless transmitter and
wireless receiver can transmit and receive wireless signals
selected from the group consisting of an RF signal, an ultrasonic
signal, an infrared signal, and an ultraviolet signal.
8. The device of claim 1, wherein the remote wireless transmitter
is selected from the group consisting of a key FOB, a handheld
remote control, a cell phone, a garage door opener, a proximity
card, a RFID card, a RFID proximity chip, localized RF signal
transmitter, and proximity signal generator.
9. The device of claim 1, wherein the automatic door locking device
is a discreet modular unit configured to fit within an existing
lock opening in a walkthrough door of a recreational vehicle
without alteration of the walkthrough door.
10. The device of claim 1, further including a battery power source
electrically coupled to the wireless receiver and the actuator.
11. The device of claim 10, further comprising an emergency battery
hook up associated with the battery power source and accessible
from an outside plate of the power lock, the emergency battery hook
up being configured to couple to an independent power source to
provide power to the power lock in the event the internal battery
power source is dead.
12. A recreational vehicle, comprising a shell having at least one
walkthrough door; a door lock, coupled to the at least one walk
through door, and configured to lock the at least one walk through
door to the shell, the door lock further comprising: a lock; an
actuator operably coupled to the lock and operable to engage the
lock; a wireless receiver coupled to the actuator and configured to
receive a wireless signal to operate the actuator; a remote
wireless transmitter, configured to transmit a signal to the
wireless receiver in order to actuate the lock.
13. The recreational vehicle of claim 10, wherein the recreational
vehicle is selected from the group consisting of a travel trailer,
a camp trailer, a motor home, a tent trailer, a fifth wheel
trailer, and a bus.
14. A method for locking a walk through door of a recreational
vehicle with a wireless remote controlled door lock, comprising:
closing a walk through door on the recreational vehicle; and
sending a wireless signal from a remote transmitter to actuate a
wireless remote door lock on the walk through door to lock the walk
through door and restrict access to the recreational vehicle.
15. The method of claim 12, further comprising: sending a wireless
signal from the remote transmitter to unlock the door lock on the
walk through door; and opening the walk through door to allow
access to the recreational vehicle.
Description
BACKGROUND
[0001] Recreational vehicles (RV), such as motor homes, camp
trailers, travel trailers, tent trailers and the like, typically
have walkthrough doors that a standing person can walk through in
order to enter or leave the RV. These doors generally have a lock
that can secure and lock the door in a closed position in order to
restrict access to the interior of the RV. Such RV walkthrough door
locks are usually manually activated by the user either by turning
a door handle, or disengaging a locking member when standing next
to the door. Similarly, locked doors can be unlocked with a key
that the user can insert into the lock while standing next to the
door.
[0002] Unfortunately, both locking and unlocking the RV door lock
require the user to be standing within reach of the door. This can
be inconvenient to the user who desires to lock or unlock the RV
door but is located some distance away from the RV. For example, in
the case of a camp trailer that is pulled behind a passenger
vehicle, a user may wish to lock or unlock the door while remaining
in the passenger vehicle, but the user would be unable to activate
the lock from this distance.
SUMMARY
[0003] The present invention provides a power door lock device for
a walkthrough door of a Recreational Vehicle (RV) including a lock
disposed in a lock housing. The power door lock also includes an
actuator operably coupled to the lock and operable to engage the
lock. A wireless receiver can be coupled to the actuator and can
receive a wireless signal to operate the actuator. A remote
wireless transmitter can be configured to transmit a signal to the
wireless receiver in order to actuate the lock.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0004] Additional features and advantages of the invention will be
apparent from the detailed description which follows, taken in
conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which together
illustrate, by way of example, features of the invention; and,
wherein:
[0005] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a Recreational Vehicle (RV)
with a wireless power door lock including a wireless remote in
accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;
[0006] FIG. 2 is a fragmentary side view of the RV of the
embodiment shown in FIG. 1, showing a walkthrough door with a
wireless power door lock;
[0007] FIG. 3 is a perspective front view of a wireless power door
lock in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;
[0008] FIG. 4 is a partially exploded perspective view of the
wireless power door lock of the embodiment shown in FIG. 3;
[0009] FIG. 5 is a perspective back view of the wireless power door
lock of the embodiment shown in FIG. 3;
[0010] FIG. 6 is a partially exploded perspective view of the
wireless power door lock of the embodiment shown in FIG. 3;
[0011] FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view of a lock including a
dead bolt of the wireless power door lock of the embodiment shown
in FIG. 3;
[0012] FIG. 8 is a perspective back view of lock housing of the
wireless power door lock of the embodiment shown in FIG. 3;
[0013] FIG. 9 is a perspective exploded view of an actuator of the
wireless power door lock of the embodiment shown in FIG. 3;
[0014] FIG. 10a is a perspective view of a lock rod of the actuator
of the embodiment shown in FIG. 8, shown with a clutch
attached;
[0015] FIG. 10b is another perspective view of the lock rod and
clutch of the embodiment shown in FIG. 10a;
[0016] FIG. 10c is a perspective view of a lock rod of the actuator
of the embodiment shown in FIG. 8, shown with another embodiment of
a clutch attached;
[0017] FIG. 10d is another perspective view of the lock rod and
clutch of the embodiment shown in FIG. 10c;
[0018] FIG. 11 is an exploded perspective view of the lock rod and
clutch of the embodiment shown in FIGS. 10a and 10b;
[0019] FIG. 12 is an exploded perspective view of a battery power
source of the wireless power door lock of the embodiment shown in
FIG. 3;
[0020] FIG. 13a is a perspective view of a battery cover of the
wireless power door lock of the embodiment shown in FIG. 3 shown
with an emergency battery hook up;
[0021] FIG. 13b is another perspective view of a battery cover of
the wireless power door lock of the embodiment shown in FIG. 3
shown with an emergency battery hook up;
[0022] FIG. 13c is a perspective view of a battery cover in
accordance with another embodiment of the wireless power door lock
of FIG. 3, shown with an emergency battery hook up;
[0023] FIG. 14 is a perspective view of the wireless power door
lock of FIG. 3 shown with the emergency battery hook up of the
embodiment shown in FIGS. 13a and 13b; and
[0024] FIG. 15 is a perspective view of the wireless power door
lock of FIG. 3 shown with the emergency battery hook up of the
embodiment shown in FIGS. 13a and 13b.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENT(S)
[0025] Reference will now be made to the exemplary embodiments
illustrated in the drawings, and specific language will be used
herein to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood
that no limitation of the scope of the invention is thereby
intended. Alterations and further modifications of the inventive
features illustrated herein, and additional applications of the
principles of the inventions as illustrated herein, which would
occur to one skilled in the relevant art and having possession of
this disclosure, are to be considered within the scope of the
invention. The following detailed description and exemplary
embodiments of the invention will be best understood by reference
to the accompanying drawings, wherein the elements and features of
the invention are designated by numerals throughout.
[0026] The present invention is generally directed to a power door
lock for a walkthrough door of a Recreational Vehicle (RV). The
power door lock can be actuated with a wireless transmitter in
order to lock or unlock the door lock from a remote location with
respect to the walkthrough door. The wireless transmitter can be in
the form of a remote control, key FOB, or the like and can transmit
a wireless signal such as an RF signal, an ultrasonic signal, an
infrared signal, or the like. The power door lock can have a
wireless transceiver that can receive the wireless signal from the
transmitter.
[0027] An actuator, such as an electric motor, can be activated
upon receipt of the wireless signal by the transceiver in order to
turn a worm gear. The worm gear can be coupled to a screw gear on a
clutch. The screw gear can rotate to engage a pin on the clutch.
With the pin engaged, the clutch can turn a cam that can push a
dead bolt from the power door lock and into an adjacent door jam to
lock the door. The door can be unlocked by sending a wireless
signal to the receiver to actuate the worm gear and rotate the
screw gear, thereby turning the cam to retract the dead bolt out of
the adjacent door jam and into the power lock. Additionally, the
pin can be disengaged by a manual force on the door handle on the
inside of the RV in order to disengage the clutch, and allow the
walkthrough door to be opened. The power door lock can be a
discreet modular unit, including a battery power source that can be
sized and shaped to fit within the door lock space of an existing
RV walkthrough door so that the power door lock can easily be
retrofitted into walkthrough doors of existing RVs.
[0028] As illustrated in FIGS. 1-6, a power door lock device,
indicated generally at 10, is shown in accordance with an
embodiment of the present invention, for use with a walkthrough
door 12 of a Recreational Vehicle (RV) device 14. The power door
lock 10 includes a lock housing, indicated generally at 20, a lock
42, an actuator, indicated generally at 40, a wireless receiver 70,
and a wireless transmitter, indicated generally at 80.
[0029] Referring to FIGS. 1-2, the lock housing 20 can be sized and
shaped to fit within the door lock space 16 of a walkthrough door
12 on an RV 14, such as a travel trailer 18, camp trailer, motor
home, tent trailer, fifth wheel trailer, van, bus, and the like.
For purposes of this application, a walkthrough door 12 is a door
having sufficient height and width to allow a person of average
height to walk through the door frame 13 in a generally upright
manner. As such a walkthrough door can be a cargo door, a personnel
door, or the like, although in this application these doors will
herein be referred to as walkthrough doors. Walkthrough doors 12
are typically installed in an outer shell 17 of the RV 14.
[0030] The lock housing 20 can have an outside plate 22, configured
to be located on the outside of the RV 14 when the power lock 10 is
disposed in the door lock space 16. The lock housing 20 can also
have an inside plate 24 (FIG. 5) configured to be located on the
inside of the RV 14 when the power lock 10 is disposed in the door
lock space 16. Advantageously, the lock housing 20 can be sized and
shaped so that the power door lock 10 can be easily retrofitted
into walkthrough doors of existing RVs.
[0031] Referring to FIGS. 3-4, the outside plate 22 can also
include an outside handle 26. The outside handle 26 can be
pivotally coupled to the lock housing 22. The outside handle 26 can
pivot about pivot pins 28 between a closed position and an open
position. In the open position, the outside handle 26 is pivoted
away from the outside plate 22 of the lock housing 20. Pivoting the
outside handle 26 to the open position can retract a hasp 30 in the
power door lock 10.
[0032] Referring to FIG. 5-7, the hasp 30 is normally in an
extended position extending away from a side 38 of the lock housing
20. The hasp 30 can be biased by a biasing device such as a spring
31 to the extended position. An upper cover plate 45 can enclose
the actuator 40, the hasp 30, and the spring 31 in the lock housing
20.
[0033] In the extended position, the hasp 30 can extend into the
door frame of the RV to secure the walkthrough door 12 to the
adjacent door frame. When the outside handle 26 (FIG. 3) is moved
to the open position, the hasp 30 is retracted into the lock
housing 20 so that the walkthrough door 12 can be manually released
from the RV frame when the lock 42 is not engaged.
[0034] Similarly, the inside plate 24 can include an inside handle
32. The inside handle 32 can also be pivoted about pivot pins 34
between an open and closed position and coupled to the hasp 30 such
that the hasp 30 is retracted into the lock housing 20 when the
inside handle 32 is in the open position. In this way, the power
door device lock 10 can be manually opened from either inside or
outside the RV.
[0035] Referring to FIGS. 8-9, the lock housing 20 can also enclose
the actuator, indicated generally at 40. The actuator 40 can be
disposed under the inside plate 24, as shown in FIG. 6, and the
upper cover plate 45, as shown in FIG. 7. Additionally, a lower
cover plate 43 can also be removed to allow removal of the
actuator, as shown in FIG. 9. The actuator 40 can include an
electrically powered driver 58, a lock rod 44, and a clutch,
indicated generally at 46.
[0036] Returning to FIGS. 6-7, the actuator 40 can be operably
coupled to the lock housing 20 and can operate to engage a lock 47,
such as a dead bolt 42. The actuator 40 can move the dead bolt 42
between a locked and an unlocked position. Specifically, the lock
rod 44 can rotate a cam 64 that can move the dead bolt 42 between
the locked and unlocked position. In the locked position, the dead
bolt 42 can extend from the lock housing 20 into the door frame of
the RV. In the unlocked position the dead bolt 42 can be retracted
into the lock housing 20.
[0037] The actuator 40 can include a lock rod 44. The lock rod 44
can extend between a lever 36 (FIG. 5) on the inside surface 24 of
the lock housing 20 and the dead bolt 42. More specifically, the
lock rod 44 can be coupled to the lever 36 and to the cam 64. The
cam 64 can rotate with the lock rod 44. The cam 64 can also be
coupled to the dead bolt 42. Thus, as the lock rod 44 is rotated,
the cam 64 is also rotated and drives the dead bolt 42 between an
extended locked position and a retracted unlocked position.
[0038] The clutch 46 can be operably coupled to the lock rod 44.
The clutch 46 can be selectively engaged in order to selectively
turn the lock rod 44 and move the dead bolt 42. Similarly, the
lever 36 can be manually turned in order to turn the lock rod 44
and move the dead bolt 42. In this way, the dead bolt 42 can be
moved to the locked or unlocked position either manually with the
lever 36 or automatically with the clutch 46.
[0039] Turning to FIGS. 10a-11, the clutch 46 can include a screw
gear 48 that can rotate about the lock rod 44. A spring loaded pin
50 can be associated with the screw gear 48. The spring loaded pin
50 can be movable between an extended position and a retracted
position. The pin 50 can be pushed into the retracted position by a
face 52 of the screw gear 48. The pin 50 can move to the extended
position when a hole 54 in the face 52 of the screw gear 48 is
aligned with the pin 50. The pin 50 can extend through the face 52
of the screw gear 48 and rotate with the screw gear when in the
extended position.
[0040] A pin catch, indicated generally at 56, can be coupled to
the lock rod 44. In one example, as shown in FIGS. 10a-10b, the pin
catch 56 can be positioned adjacent the face 52 of the screw gear
48 so that as the screw gear rotates, the pin 50 can contact and
rotate the pin catch 56 when the pin is in the extended position.
The pin catch 56 can include to a pair of extensions 57 that can
catch the pin when the pin is extended from the hole 54. The pin
catch 56 can also include a spring clip 58 that can secure the pin
catch to a mandrel 60 that can be secured to the lock rod 44. The
mandrel 60 can be secured to the lock rod 44 by any suitable
fastening means such as a set screw, welding, a keyway, or the
like.
[0041] Additionally, as another example, as shown in FIGS. 10c-10d,
the pin catch 56 can include a spring plate 158 that can have a
face 159 that mounts adjacent to the face 52 of the screw gear 48,
and a recessed portion 157 that extends away from the face 52 of
the screw gear. In this case, the pin 50 can be pushed and held
into the hole 54 in the screw gear 48 by the face 158, as shown in
FIG. 10c. Additionally, the pin 50 can extend out of the hole 54
and be contained within the recessed portion 157 when the screw
gear 48 is rotated to allow the pin to engage the spring plate.
When in the extended position, the pin 50 can engage the recessed
portion 157 to rotate the lock rod 44.
[0042] Because the pin catch 56 is coupled to the lock rod 44, the
lock rod can rotate with the pin catch as the pin catch is rotated
by the pin 50 when the pin is in the extended position. Thus, the
lock rod 44 will rotate when the pin 50 is aligned with and
extending through the hole 54 in the face 52 of the screw gear
48.
[0043] Similarly, the lock rod 44 will not rotate when the pin 50
is not extending through the hole 54. The pin 50 can be pushed back
into the retracted position when a sufficiently high load is
applied to the portion of the pin extending away from the face 52
of the screw gear 48 by the pin catch 56. Such a load can be
applied to the pin by the pin catch when the handle 36 is manually
turned. In this way, the screw gear 48 and spring pin 50 can act as
the clutch 46 to selectively engage or disengage the lock rod
44.
[0044] The actuator 40 can also include an electrically powered
driver, such as a motor 58 or a solenoid (not shown). In the case
where the driver is a motor 58, the motor 58 can be disposed in the
lock housing 20 and can be operably coupled to rotate a worm gear
62. The worm gear 62 can be positioned to engage and rotate the
screw gear 48 when the motor 58 is activated. In this way, the
motor 58 can be operated to move the dead bolt 42 between the
locked and unlocked position.
[0045] In use, the motor 58 can be activated by the wireless
receiver 70 when the wireless receiver 70 receives a signal from
the wireless transmitter 80. When activated, the motor 58 can turn
the worm gear 62 which in turn can engage and rotate the screw gear
48. The screw gear 48 can rotate until the pin 50 snaps through the
hole 54 in the face 52 of the screw gear 48. The screw gear 48 and
extended pin 50 can then rotate to engage and rotate the pin catch
56 which in turn rotates the lock rod 44.
[0046] The wireless receiver 70 can be coupled to the actuator 40
and can be configured to receive a wireless signal that can operate
the actuator 40. The wireless receiver 70 can be any wireless
reception device that can receive wireless signals such as an RF
signal, an ultrasonic signal, an infrared signal, an ultraviolet
signal, or the like. For example, the wireless receiver can be a
radio receiver that can receive a radio frequency signal, an
electronic eye that can receive an infrared signal, a sound
detector that can receive an ultrasonic signal, and the like.
[0047] The wireless transmitter 80 can be any remote wireless
transmission device that can transmit a signal to the wireless
receiver in order to actuate the power lock 10. The wireless
transmitter 80 can transmit a wireless signal such as an RF signal,
an ultrasonic signal, an infrared signal, an ultraviolet signal, or
the like. For example, the wireless transmitter 80 can be a key FOB
82, a handheld remote control, a cell phone, a garage door opener,
a proximity card, a radio frequency identification (RFID) card or
chip, proximity signal generator, a localized RF signal
transmitter, or the like.
[0048] Thus, in use, the wireless transmitter 80 can be activated
to transmit a wireless signal. The wireless receiver 70 can receive
the signal and can activate the actuator 40. The actuator 40 can
move the dead bolt 42 to the locked or unlocked position depending
on the signal transmitted by the wireless transmitter. In this way,
the power door lock 10 can be locked or unlocked from a position
that is removed from the location of the walkthrough door 12.
[0049] Referring to FIGS. 12-15, the power door lock 10 can also
include a battery power source, indicated generally at 90, that can
be electrically coupled to the wireless receiver 70 (FIG. 9) and
the electrically powered driver of the actuator 46. In one
embodiment, the battery power source 90 can be disposed in the lock
housing 20 and positioned towards the outside of the door and
substantially adjacent the outside handle 26, as shown in FIGS. 12
and 15. In another embodiment (not shown) the battery power source
can be disposed in the lock housing and positioned towards the
inside of the door and accessible from the inside of the RV. In yet
another embodiment, the battery power source can be the battery
power source for the RV and a hard wire 91 can extend from the RV
battery power source to a hook up 93 in the power door lock 10 in
the walkthrough door 12. In yet another embodiment, the power door
lock 10 can be electrically coupled to both the RV battery power
source and have an independent battery power source 90 inside the
lock.
[0050] The battery power source 90 can have a plurality of battery
bays 92 to house replaceable or rechargeable batteries. For
example, the battery power source 90 can have 4 standard AA sized
battery bays 92 to house batteries that can provide power to the
power lock 10.
[0051] The battery power source 90 can also have a cover plate 94.
The cover plate can be disposed adjacent the battery bays 92 and
can close the battery bays to protect the batteries and close the
battery circuit. The cover plate 94 can be positioned directly
under or behind the outside handle 26.
[0052] The cover plate 94 can also have an emergency battery hook
up 96 that can be accessible under the outside handle 26, as
illustrated in FIGS. 13a-13c. The emergency battery hook up 96 can
allow connection to a battery outside the lock housing 20 to
provide temporary emergency power to the power lock 10 in the event
the batteries in the battery bays 92 run out of energy. For
example, the emergency battery hook up 96 can be a standard 9 volt
battery connection so that the user can place a 9 volt battery
against the terminals 26 to provide temporary emergency power to
the power lock 10 in the event the batteries inside the lock
housing 20 have run out of energy and died. In another example, the
emergency battery hook up can be a pair of relatively flat
electrically conductive plates electrically coupled to the power
driver and spaced apart on the cover plate so that battery prongs
from a standard 9 volt battery can contact the conductive plates
and provide power through the plates to the power lock 10.
[0053] The present invention also provides for a method for locking
a walkthrough door of a Recreational Vehicle with a wireless remote
controlled door lock. The method includes closing a walkthrough
door on the RV. A wireless signal can be sent from a remote
wireless transmitter to actuate a wireless remote door lock on the
walk through door to lock the walkthrough door and restrict access
to the RV. Additionally, the method includes sending a wireless
signal from the remote transmitter to unlock the door lock on the
walk through door. The walkthrough door can then be opened to allow
access to the inside of the RV. Thus, the power lock of the present
invention constitutes a new use of remotely activated power door
locks, specifically, use of such locks in walkthrough doors of
Recreational Vehicles.
[0054] While the forgoing examples are illustrative of the
principles of the present invention in one or more particular
applications, it will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the
art that numerous modifications in form, usage and details of
implementation can be made without the exercise of inventive
faculty, and without departing from the principles and concepts of
the invention. Accordingly, it is not intended that the invention
be limited, except as by the claims set forth below.
* * * * *